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NHS rolls out ‘stop-smoking’ pill to help tens of thousands quit
Thousands of lives could be saved thanks to the roll-out of an improved anti-smoking pill on the NHS in England, the head of the health service will announce today. Varenicline has been shown to work as well as vapes to help people stop smoking and be a more effective aid than nicotine-replacement gum or patches. […]
Thousands of cancers caught early through NHS lung checks
More than 5,000 people in England have been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier thanks to an innovative NHS initiative, which uses mobile scanning trucks to visit local communities. The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme is the biggest initiative in NHS history aimed at improving early lung cancer diagnosis, and is specifically targeted at areas […]
Almost one in ten children obese in first year of school
Obesity levels among children starting their first year of school have increased to almost one in ten, according to new NHS figures published today. The National Child Measurement Programme, which measures the height and weight of school children in England each year, found that the proportion of four and five-year-olds who are obese rose to 9.6% […]
NHS launches major new stroke campaign as thousands delay calling 999 by nearly 90 minutes
Tens of thousands of people who have a stroke could be diagnosed and treated sooner as new data found that the average time between onset of first symptoms and a 999 call being made was nearly an hour and a half. New analysis of NHS data shows that for 2023-24, of 41,327 patients with a […]
New iPhone device to help rule out throat cancer
Thousands of patients could receive the all-clear for suspected throat cancer faster, thanks to a new iPhone device and app being piloted by the NHS. The innovative adapter providing a 32mm lens and accompanying app can turn an iPhone into a portable diagnostic gadget used by nurses to detect or rule out throat cancer. The […]
1,400 libraries now offering people support to use NHS App
The NHS is now offering the public support in how to access online health services including the NHS App at 1,400 libraries across England. More than two in five public library services (64 out of 151) in England have already signed up to offer the service with several more expected to join in the coming […]
Sir Chris Hoy’s terminal cancer diagnosis prompts near sevenfold increase for prostate cancer advice
Visits for prostate cancer symptoms advice on the NHS website rose by 672% following Sir Chris Hoy’s announcement about his terminal prognosis. New figures from NHS England show that in the 48 hours after the six-time Olympic champion revealed his cancer was incurable, there were 14,478 visits to the page on prostate cancer symptoms. That is […]
NHS England Chair to stand down at the end of March
The chair of NHS England Richard Meddings has this week notified the Secretary of State that he will stand down from his role at the end of March. In a message to NHS England staff today, he said that approaching three years in the role and having had discussions with the health secretary about what […]
NHS diagnoses thousands more cancers as cases rise by 5%
New figures published today show the NHS diagnosed over 11,000 more cancers in 2022, reaching a new record high level – with almost 950 people a day getting a diagnosis in England. The latest cancer registration statistics show more cancers were diagnosed in 2022, with 346,217 new diagnoses – on average 948 a day – […]
Almost 1 in 10 secondary school pupils currently vape, new NHS survey shows
A quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) do it frequently, according to new statistics published today. The Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England report for 2023 showed regular or occasional vaping in high school children had increased from 6% in 2018. The report […]